Hoping to demonstrate unity amidst those who are struggling to rebuild since the Eaton fire, a coalition of community leaders, groups and residents held a “Dena Rise Up” march and festival Sunday.

“It was not a protest,” said Palmira Figueroa, spokesperson with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, which hosted the event. “We did a unity event to get together and show in numbers as a group of people fighting for a just reconstruction of our community.”

“We had hundreds of people speaking up for being included in the reconstruction of Altadena, with the decision-making being fair, based on community needs and realities,” Figueroa said.

The event began at Fair Oaks Burger, featured a half-mile march, and culminated with a rally and get-together at an apartment complex on Figueroa Drive, with music and dancing.

Hundreds of people took part in the assembly, with affiliations from more than a dozen area groups represented. Among them were the NAACP, CORE, Altadena Tenants Union, Pasadena Tenants Union, El Mirador Alliance, Monarca Sol Collective, My Tribe Rise and the Fire Poppy Project.

“We marched,” Figueroa said. “We rallied. So much joy and community building happened in our streets.”

According to NDLON, the event was held to uplift community voices and ensure that recovery of the area is guided with dignity, inclusion and justice.

In several speeches, and through information and outreach booths on hand at the rally, NDLON said the goal was to “highlight community-driven solutions for housing, environmental cleanup, economic justice and equitable rebuilding in Altadena and Pasadena.”

Figueroa said that, while any next steps or future planned events are yet to be decided, the coalition has reached out to L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, inviting her to meet with community members and hear their voices.